The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 it against future potential opponents, too, outside the Big Ten. ESPN reported that an opposing Big Ten school looked up in-stadium surveil- lance video from a game earlier this year, and sources told reporter Pete Thamel the person in the seat of the ticket purchased by Stalions "held his smart phone up and appeared to film the home team's sideline the entire game." Stalions also reportedly purchased tickets on both sides of the sta- dium for Ohio State's Oct. 21 game against Penn State earlier this year in his name, tickets that went unused after the NCAA opened up the investigation earlier the same week. Per ESPN, Stalions purchased tickets via StubHub, SeatGeek or other retailers, typically somewhere around the 45-yard line and "raised up enough for a clear view of the opposite sideline." As of Nov. 13, there had been no evi- dence produced that other U-M coaches were involved despite the NCAA expe- diting an investigation. Its representa- tives interviewed Michigan staffers and some low-level staffers at Schembechler Hall, sources told TheWolverine.com, and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was adamant in a statement that he had no knowledge of any violations occurring. "I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the inves- tigation into this matter," Harbaugh said in a statement released by the university. "I do not have any knowledge or informa- tion regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not con- done or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules. "No matter what program or organiza- tion that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place." On Nov. 3, in fact, Stalions resigned, insisting he had acted alone. His lawyer, Brad Beckworth, sent a statement indi- cating as much. "As he informed the school earlier today, Connor chose to resign because recent stories regarding his time with the University of Michigan have created a distraction for the team," Beckworth said. "He hopes his resignation will help the team and coaching staff focus on tomorrow's game and the remainder of the season. "Connor also wants to make it clear that, to his knowledge, neither Coach Harbaugh, nor any other coach or staff member, told anyone to break any rules or were aware of improper conduct re- garding the recent allegations of ad- vanced scouting." "I am extremely grateful for the oppor- tunity I've had to work with the incred- ible student-athletes, Coach Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family dur- ing my tenure," Stalions said. "I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on." U-M SEEKING 'DUE PROCESS' Indeed, as of Nov. 13, the NCAA in- dicated there were "no direct links" between Harbaugh and Stalions or his alleged operation. That didn't stop the NCAA from expediting its investiga- tion, however, especially when reports surfaced that Stalions might have been at the Central Michigan-MSU game in disguise in early September, and on the CMU sideline. The Big Ten then got involved when the league's athletics directors and coaches "demanded" conference com- missioner Tony Petitti "do something immediately" to punish the Wolverines. He met with Michigan administrators Nov. 3 in Ann Arbor and talked a big game but didn't produce much physical evidence that anyone beyond Stalions was involved. He also talked of suspend- ing Harbaugh or asking Michigan to do so voluntarily. Michigan president Santa Ono, though, had already made it clear to him a day ear- lier in a letter obtained by TheWolverine. com Nov. 4 that due process was what Michigan was seeking. "The Big Ten has not informed us of any investigation of its own, as would be required under conference rules," Ono wrote in his letter to Petitti. "And to be clear, oral updates from NCAA enforce- ment staff do not and cannot constitute evidence, nor do we think the NCAA would ever intend for an oral update to be given that meaning or weight. "The best course of action, the one far more likely to ascertain the facts, is to await the results of the NCAA investiga- tion. But if you refuse to let the NCAA investigative process play out, the Big Ten may not take any action against the Uni- versity or its players or coaches without commencing its own investigation and offering us the opportunity to provide our position. That is not just required by our conference rules; it is a matter of basic fairness." Asked what Ono's support meant to him after a 41-13 Michigan thrashing of Purdue, Harbaugh responded, "It's deeply appreciated." And Purdue was at least the third team that couldn't point to Michigan "illegal sign stealing" as playing any role in a blowout win. Ohio State coaches acknowledged last year they changed theirs before the rivalry game, a 45-23 Michigan blowout win, after which head coach Ryan Day looked totally defeated. Michigan State was made aware this year and lost 49-0 in a game that could have been 70-0 had Harbaugh kept his foot on the gas, and Purdue had very ❱ Michigan President Santa Ono, Nov. 10 "Today's action by [Big Ten] Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the Conference's own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed. We are dismayed at the Commissioner's rush to judgment when there is an ongoing NCAA investigation — one in which we are fully cooperating."